1. Statewide Collaboration
Presentation for
CCEMC’s 4th Annual
Statewide Collaboration
Supporting Struggling and Off-Track Students through Dual Enrollment and Early College

2. About Us:
Gateway College and Career Academy (GCCA):
an Early College High School supporting a traditionally “at-risk” population on the campus of Riverside City College
Today’s Presenters:
Brenda Forsse, Interim Dean of Students
Kathy Bywater, Coordinator, ELL Program & College Alignment

3. Mission and Core Charter Elements
The mission of Gateway College and Career Academy is to provide learners who are not on track to graduate with the opportunity to complete high school and achieve success within a supportive college community.
Core Charter Elements:
Significant dual credit will be earned toward desired college/career pathway.
Sustainable partnerships will be developed and maintained.
Students will be provided holistic support.
Innovative teaching and learning will take place.
Intentional collaboration among all staff will be fostered.
Acquisition of academic skills aligned with state standards.
College and career readiness is a major focus.
Most students will graduate within 2.5 years.

5. Partners* Charter Authorizer Ed Code Oversight School Governance
Riverside County Office of Education
Gateway College and Career Academy
Riverside City College
Charter Authorizer
Ed Code Oversight
Fiscal reports
Attendance reports
State mandated activities
Local Control Accountability Plans
School Governance
Business affairs
School budget
Fiscal management and operations
Guide/oversee school policies
Recruitment and community involvement
Fundraising
Charter school hires
Strategic Planning
Operational space
Facilities and technology support
Access to college courses and labs
Access to academic support
Access to student support
Assisted by Office of Institutional Effectiveness
*also part of a National Network; GtCNN

6. Who We Target
Students clearly not on track to graduate
98% significantly credit deficient – having earned only an average of 90 credits at entry to GCCA
1.5 GPA average upon entry
17.5 years (average age upon entry)

7. Other Options for This Student Population
If not Gateway, then what?
Our students’ academic options are largely limited to:
Independent Study / Online School
Packet Work
Adult Education (HSD or GED)
CHSPE

8. Snapshot of Current Enrollment
64% Eligible to receive free or reduced lunch (FRL)
17% EL
9% SPED (4% IEP, 5% 504)
4.7% Foster
3.5% Homeless

9. Snapshot of 2016/2017Enrollment: Ethnicity

10. How We Support - Counseling
Intensive counseling support
Ratio (35:1)
Guidance Classes
Cohort Model (Team Meetings)
Culture of student directed, intentional growth
Holistic approach
Student Expectations-Academic, Behavior, Attendance
Improved support services (transportation, nutrition “Snack Pantry”)
Increased parent services- Parent Academy (education, training, and feedback workshops)*
Leveraging K-12 and community college resources (“Power of Place”)

11. *Parent Academy Workshop Topics
Communication Skills
Parenting Styles
Empowering Myself and Encouraging My Student
Boosting Self Esteem
Creating a Positive Environment
Long Range Parenting
Proper Nutrition
Physical Activity
Healthy Sleeping Habits
Time Management
Stress Management
Mental Wellness

12. How We Support: Academics
Highly qualified teachers (GCCA & College Professors) are hand-selected.
Teachers work together to develop a coherent instructional program for students at all ability levels.
Teachers cultivate an “ethic of excellence” and hold students to high expectations while offering high levels of encouragement and support (this has been the most challenging of balancing acts).
Teachers design learning activities that teach and reinforce the skills and habits required for effective collaborative learning.
Study Skills and Time Management are key components in all classes.
“Gradual Release” practiced through increasingly “heavier” assignments.
A dedicated writing coach is available to help students in GCCA courses as well as college courses.
Two in-class tutors
Cohort Team Meetings

13. Student Program Pathways

14. Our Successes* – Academic
High school course success: The percentage of students earning a grade of ‘C’ or better in their high school level courses is: 65%
College course success: The percentage of students earning a grade of ‘C’ or better in their college courses is 66%
Rise in GPA: Average GPA at entry is 1.5. Average GPA at graduation is 2.9.
College credits completed: Our students are graduating with an average of 15.1 earned college units.  
Attendance Rate: Average daily attendance is 88%
*context: recovered drop-outs

15. Our Successes – School Culture
Youth Truth Survey Results Sp 2017

16. Our Successes – School Culture
Youth Truth Survey Results Spring 2017
Area/Question:
Percentile
Most adults in this school treat students with respect.
91st
My teachers’ expectations make me want to do my best.
88th
What I learn in class helps me outside of school.
87th
My teachers give me assignments that better help me understand the subject.
Discipline in this school is fair.
My school has helped me understand the steps I need to take in order to apply to college.
86th
My school has helped me figure out which careers match my interests and abilities.
My school has helped me understand the steps I need to take in order to have the career that I want.
85th

17. Our Successes – School Culture
Youth Truth Survey Results Spring 2017
Topic
Percentile
In most of my classes, we learn a lot almost every day.
84th
Most students in this school treat adults with respect.
83rd
In most of my classes, we learn to correct our mistakes.
My school has helped me develop the skills and knowledge I will need for college level classes.
I really feel like part of my school’s community.
82nd
Most of my teachers don’t let people give up when the work gets hard.
77th
Most of my teachers want us to use our thinking skills, not just memorize things.
76th
I enjoy coming to school most of the time.
75th

18. Our Successes – School Culture
Youth Truth Survey Results Spring 2017
Percentile
How many of your teachers make an effort to understand what your life is like outside of school?
95th
How many of your teachers try to be fair?
89th
How many of your teachers connect what you’re learning in class to life outside the classroom?
86th
How many of your teachers are not just satisfied if you pass, they care if you’re really learning?
85th
How many of your teachers are willing to give extra help on school work if you need it?
84th

19. Must-Haves
Collaborating with College (current activities include observations and norming sessions)
Caring, Carefully selected Staff (Relationships are Key, particularly with this population)
Flexibility
Resources
Location (satellite doesn’t work well) / “Power of Place”

20. Program Timeline: RGtC / GCCA
Year
Event/Activity
Pre-2003
Early College Initiatives provoke conversations between HS and CC
New Visions program was designed to connect TANF recipients to RCCD
New Visions brought RCC to the attention of Portland Community College’s Dr. Nan Poppe, a recognized leader in workforce development and nontraditional college pathways
Dr. Poppe is credited with creating PCC’s Gateway program model
2003
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation identified PCC’s Gateway to College as an exemplary educational model and funded replication of the model
RCCD was selected as the first replication site
2004
RGTC-ECHS, a non-profit charter management entity, was formed and authorized by RUSD
2005
RGTC WASC accredited ( )
2008
RUSD reauthorized the RGTC charter
2009
RGTC was selected as a GtCNN Demonstration Site ( )

21. Program Timeline: GCCA
Year
Event/Activity
2013
RCOE authorized a countywide charter for Gateway College and Career Academy
GCCA welcomed its first foundation cohorts in fall 2013 / aligned with new state seat-time standards
GCCA WASC initial accreditation
2015
GCCA opened and closed an annex site
Introduced Bridge and ISP program adaptations/variations
2016
Preliminary expansion discussions with Norco College
2017
GCCA WASC reauthorization of accreditation

22. Student Panelists David Thain Fallon Mann Mayomy Navarette
Current Student
Current Student
Mayomy Navarette
Kyle Janosky
Michelle Martis
GCCA Alumni
Current GCCA Staff
GCCA Alumni
Current college student
GCCA Alumni
Current college student

23. For additional questions
Miguel Contreras, GCCA Director
We are here for Miguel today as he has recently become a new dad and there are only so many minutes in a day (and night)!